Posted at 6:55 a.m., Monday, October 1, 2007
NFL: Bucs Williams to have season-ending knee surgery
Associated Press
TAMPA, Fla. — Running back Carnell "Cadillac" Williams and tackle Luke Petitgout both will undergo season-ending knee surgery this week, a major setback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.Williams injured his right knee when he was tackled by Carolina safety Chris Harris at the end of an 18-yard run during the first quarter of yesterday's 20-7 victory over the Panthers. Petitgout limped off the field after defensive tackle Kris Jenkins fell into his right leg in the second quarter.
"That's a big blow. ... We have some people who need to step up," coach Jon Gruden said today.
The Bucs (3-1) will use of a combination of Michael Pittman and Earnest Graham to replace Williams, the 2005 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Tampa Bay's leading rusher the past two seasons. They finished yesterday with 138 of Tampa Bay's 189 yards rushing.
Petitgout, a ninth-year pro who spent the first eight seasons of his career with the New York Giants, was signed during the offseason to stabilize an offensive line featuring three starters in their first or second year in the NFL.
Donald Penn, a second-year pro, will take over Petitgout's spot at left tackle.
